Box making machine



Feb. 5, 1963 Filed Feb 28 G. B. SPEIDEL BOX MAKING MACHINE 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet l INV EN TOR.

GEORGE B. SPEIDEL mm wwwmw ATTOR N EYS FIG. I.

Feb. 5, 1963 G. B. SPEIDEL BOX MAKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 28, 1961 B IVENTOR. GEORGE B. SPEI DEL 15W, ,W b H ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1963 G. B. SPEIDEL 3,076,339

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR.

GEORGE B. SPEIDEL ATTORNEYS G. B. SPEIDEL BOX MAKING MACHINE Feb. 5, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 28, 1961 INVENTOR. GEORGE B. SPEIDEL BY FIG. 4.

W Maw, MAM? ATTORNEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 G. B. SPEIDEL BOX MAKING MACHINE Feb. 5, 1963 Filed Feb. 28, 1961 Feb. 5, 1963 G. B. SPEIDEL 3,076,389

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 28, 1961 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 m V s| I Er Cl 1 S3 S2 V 0 I m- SIO $9 INVENTOR. GEORGE B. SPEIDEL ATTORNEYS FIG.Z

such a machine by providing the respectively first and second over-fold stations. letters D, E, F and G designate respectively first, second,

Unite States Patent nice 3,076,389 Patented Feb. 5, 1963 3,076,389 BOX MAKING MACHINE George B. Speidel, Cheitenharn, Pa assignor to Metal Edge Industries, Barringtou, -N.J., a corporation of New Jersey .Filed Feb. 28,1961, Ser. No.'92,'213 ,12;Claims. (Cl.'93-41.1)

This invention relates general-lyto box making machines, -and;particularly to a multi-station box making machine wherein a succession of blanks cornered and scored for folding are successively presented to each of the stations, and a different operation is performed upon the blanks at eachof the stations for progressively advancing-the fabrication thereof in theproduction of fully formed and stayed boxes.

An object of the invention is to shorten "the cycles of machine with separate loadingand unloading stations.

Another object of the invention is to provide such "a machine with staying devices capable, without any change of parts, of staying the corners of'boxes varying in size and shape within a relatively wide range.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine having such staying devices withrneans foroverfolding side panels of the boxes a full IZOdegrees before they are stayed.

Another object of the inventionis to provide such a machine whichreceives blanks in unfolded, fiat condition so that they can be fed to the machine from many known types of feeders.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide such a machine having no direct connection between the staying .devices and the work holding and indexingmeans except .through thework itself, in consequence of whichnone of the heavy stay applying forces are transmitted to the work holding and indexing means.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent when the following description is readwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

.FIGURE 1 is .an elevation of a box making machine embodying the invention, showing principallythe mechanism for indexing the work;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan viewof the mechanism shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a developed elevation vertical section looking from the center of the machine outwardly, showing the orientation of the staying devices;

FIGURE 4 is a front viewof a staying device;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section of the staying device taken generally on the plane indicatedby line 5-5 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal. section on the plane indicated by line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a wiring diagram.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to'FlGURE 1, a box making machine constructed in accordance with the invention is provided with a frame 10 having vertically extending legs '12,-a horizontally extending bedplate (14', a horizontally extending upper shelf 18 vertically spaced from the bedplate 14.and the lower shelf 16. The several members of the frame 10 are secured together, as by welding, to make the frame rigid.

Referring to .FIGURE '2, angularly spaced equally aboutthe center ofthe'bedplate '14 are a series of stations, designated by the letters A throughH. The letter A designates a loading station. The letters B andC designate The third andfourth staying stations. The letter H designates an ejectstation.

.Atstation A there is a mandrellztlcarriedfbya vertirespectto the mandrel. provided with laterally spaced upright legs and a crosspiece tying these legstogether. open and the legs thereof arechannel-shaped in trans- .Mounted upon the base 341s .a pivot 54 which hasattached .F or securing Linthecylinder 128 is a-piston provided 2 .cally extending bracket 22 provided with a-flange 24. Thisflange is seated upon the bedplate 14 and secured thereto byscrews 26. Proximate the face of the mandrel presenting toward the center of thebedplateld is a frame 2.3 adapted for receiving andpositioning the work with The frame is U-shaped,being The topof theframe is .verse section forloosely receiving the opposite side edges ofa blank dropped into the frame throughtheopen top thereof.

.At station B there is an over-fold device, generally designated 32. This device has a horizontally extending base .34 supported upon a suitable bracket (not shown) which inturn is afiixed to the bedplate 14. an air cylinder 36. A piston works in the cylinder-.36 and has a piston rod 38 bearing a pivot 40 which has attached thereto a link '42 hearing a pivot .44. A lateral extension 46 of an over-fold arm, generally designated 48,.is attachedtothe pivot 44. Also .mounted upon the .base.34 is an air cylinder 5'0. Apiston works in thescylinderfitl and .hasa piston rod 52 bearing thereto alink 56 hearing apivot 58. .Alateralextension 69. of an over-fold arm 62 is attached to the pivot 58. The base 34 mounts an upright pivot pin.64 to which ,areattachedthe; proximate end portions 66 of the ,over fold arms. The working endsof the over-fold arms, designated 68, are'bifurcated.

. At station C there'is a second over-fold device '76 the sa mein every respect as the over-fold device 32, except that the base 34- extends vertically and is'carried bya suitable bracket '71 aflixed to the bedplate 14.

At stations D, E, F and G there are stayer devices, generally designated respectively '72, 74, '76 and 7%. These stayerdevices arealike in all essential respects, in conse quence of which a description of the stayer device 72 will suflice for afull understanding of the invention.

Referring to FIGURES 2 through 6, the staying device 72 includes a support afiixed to the bedplate 14. Seated .upon the support 80 is a bracket member 32 provided with a base fiange84 aflixed to the-support 80, as by bolts '86. Extending along one side of the bracket member '82 is a rib 88. Overlying the bracket member 82 is a plate 9t3havingat'the top and bottom thereof elongated openings 92. Studs 94 extend through the openings 92 and are threaded into the plate for securing-the plate'fit) tothe bracket member 82. A bolt 96 is threaded through the rib .88 and the end thereof engages theopposed edge of the plate Overlying the plate 9tlisa frame 98 having formed therein elongated openings ltltl.

the frame 9'8 to the plate 9t studs 182 extend through the openings 190 and are threaded into the plate 90. At the'base of the plate 90 is a flange 14M through which is threaded .a bolt 166. The end of the 'bolt engages the opposed edge of thefrarne '98.

Thelframe 98is provided with .a horizontally extending head portion 108 and opposite side'laterally spaced intermediate portions 110, these intermediate portions being spaced from theplate'90. A die mount'112, T-shaped in transverse section, is slidablycarried by the frame 98. IThestem '114is disposed between the portions 110 of the frame and the head 116 overlies the portions .110 of the frame. "A lockplate 118 is secured to the dismount 112,

as bystuds 120, to keep the same in place. At the base of the die mount 112 is a lateral extension 122 in which is adjustably mounted a die block 124 carrying adie insert 126. For actuatingthe die mount 112 an aircylinder 128 issecured to the head portion 1&8 oftheframe. 'Working with a rod 130' attachedto thelateral extension 122 of the die mount 112.

Under'lyingthe. die insert 126 is a nosepiece132 atlixed to the frame 98 and carrying a horizontally extending anvil bar 133.

Carried by the die block 124 is a cutter slide 134 held in position by a spring-pressed cover plate 136. The die block carries a pivot 38 to which is attached one end portion of a throat member 14% which extends horizontally through an opening 142 formed in the plate 90 and an opening lied formed in the bracket member 82. Mounted upon the throat member 14% is a stationary pawl carrier 145 which carries a pawl 1 5. Also mounted upon the throat member 140 is a movable pawl carrier 159 which carries a pawl 152. The carriage 15% mounts a pivot 2 .5 1, to which is attached one end portion of an arm 156 of a bell crank. The bell crank is pivoted, as at 158, to a bracket see. The other arm 1-62 of the bell crank extends into an opening 16d formed in the bracket member 82 and an opening 166 formed in the plate 99'. A bolt 68 is threaded through an extension 174 of the lock plate 113 and the end of the bolt engages the bell crank arm 162. As viewed in FIGURE 5, the bell crank is biased in clockwise direction by a tension spring 172. As indicated hereinabove, the stayer devices 72, 74, 76 and '78 are alike in all essential respects. However, it should be noted that the bracket member at station G, designated 174, is made to the left-hand of bracket 82 and affixed to a support 176. In addition, the bracket members at stations E and F, respectively designated 1'78 and-180, are suitably altered and seated directly upon the bedplate 14.

At station H there is an eject nozzle 182 directed at the base of the box for dislodging it from the holder 2% and depositing it by gravity upon a belt conveyor 1&4.

Referring particularly to FIGURES l and 2, a bearing unit IL is mounted upon the bedplate l4 and has journalled therein a shaft 183. Afilxed to the upper end portion of this shaft is a disc 1% having V-shaped notches in the periphery thereof for forming radially extending projections 192 angularly spaced equally about the disc. Associated with each of these projections is an air cylinder 1% having its inner end secured, as by a pin 1%, to the disc 1%. Working in the cylinder 1% is a piston having a rod 193 slidably projected through a bearing 2% secured in position by bolts 202.

At the outer extremity of the rod 1% is a work holder, generally designated 2%, provided with four fingers 206.

Undenying the bedplate 14 is a Geneva mechanism including a wheel affixed to the lower end portion of the shaft 188. This wheel is provided with radially inwardly extending openings Zlt) angularly spaced equally about the wheel. The rim of the wheel between each successive pair of openings Zltl is scalloped, as at 212. The Geneva mechanism also includes a drive wheel 214 provided with a raised crescent-shaped area 216 defined by an arcuate shoulder 218, the center of which is coincident with the center of the wheel, and by a second arcuate shoulder 22%, as shown. The wheel 214 mounts a pin 222 disposed opposite the shoulder 22d. This wheel is affixed to the upper end portion of a vertically extending shaft 226 journalled in a bearing unit 22$ mounted upon the shelf 18. At the lower end of the shaft 226 is a clutch CL, a coupling 232 and a speed reducer 234. This speed reducer is mounted upon the shelf 16 and mounts a pulley 236 driven by a belt 238 trained over the pulley 24b of a motor M.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be noted that a different piece of work is disposed at each of the stations A through H. These pieces of work are designated respectively 242, 252, 254, 244, 245, 248, 256i and 256. At station I) staying material fed from a roll thereof (not shown) is designated 25%, and stays cut from such rolls and applied to the work are designated Eat in the opening of the machine, at the beginning of a cycle, the shaft 226 makes one complete revolution. After approximately one-third of the revolution pin 222 engages wheel and after approximately two-thirds of the revolution the pin 222 disengages from the wheel 268, which has been turned 45 degrees. While engaged with the wheel the pin 222 indexes the same one station. This indexing operation occurs once during each cycle. During the indexing operation the shoulder 22%) clears the wheel 2%, and before and after the indexing operation the shoulder 213 fits into a scalloped peripheral portion of the wheel 2% and secures the wheel against turning.

Immediately after the indexing operation, air under pressure is supplied to the several air cylinders 194 for extendir g the work holders At station A the lingers 2% of the work holder engage a blank 242 which is cornered and scored for folding and disposed in the frame 23, and as the work holder is extended, the fingers push the blank outwardly, removing it from the frame and forming it over the mandrel Ell. Thus the side panels ctr ' or the blank are folded up normal to the bottom panel.

At stations D, E, F and G other blanks, respectively designated 244, 246, and 259, are pushed outwardly over the anvils 133 and underlying nose pieces 132. Thus each anvil 133 is nested in a corner of the associated blank, in position for the staying operation. While the work holders 2% are fully extended, various operations are erformed substantially simultaneously at stations B through H, but nothing further occurs at ation A.

At station 8 the blank 252 which, during the last cycle of the machine, had its side panels folded up at station A, has two opposite side panels over-folded approximately degrees. Air under pressure is supplied to cylinders and 5% for actuatins the over-f0ld arms 48 and 62. The arrangement is such that arm 43 operates slightly in advance of arm 62, as a consequence of which the side panels are folded sequentially to avoid interference with one another. 'lhe arms pivot on pin 64 from the full to the broken line positions shown in FIGURE 2, the furcations passing freely between the fingers 2%. At station C the over-fold opera ion is performed upon the blank 254-, which during the last cycle of the machine had two opposite side panels over-folded at station B.

At stations D through G stays are applied to the corners of the blanks 244, 246, 2 48 and 259. Referring particularly to FIGURE 3, at station D the stay is applied to the upper right-hand corner of the blank 24 4, and at station E the stay is applied to the lower right-hand corner of the blank 246, at station F the stay is applied to the lower left-hand corner of the blank 24% and at station G the stay is applied to the upper left-hand corner of the blank 2'6). At each station air under pressure is supplied to cylinder 128 to extend the rod 13d and the die mount 112. At the end of the working stroke the die insert 126 engages the strip of stay material 253 and folds the same longitudinally over and attaches it to the corner areas of the side panels in known manner. At the same time the cutter 134 operates in known manner to cut the stay 250 from the strip of stay material.

As the die mount 312 descends, the screw 17% engages arm 162 of the bell crank and swings the same counterclockwise about the pivot l58 against the influence of the spring 172, whereupon the arm 156 of the bell crank shifts the pawl carrier 15 .3 to the right as viewed in FIG- URE 5. Pawl 148 holds the strip of stay material. Pawl 152 ratchets freely over the stay material as it moves to the right. As the die mount 112 returns to its initial position the bell crank swings clockwise under the infiuence of tension spring 172. Pawl carrier 1:59 moves to the left and the pawl 152 engages the stay material and feeds it toward the die insert 126. Pawl 148 ratchets freely over the stay material.

At station H a jet of air from the nozzle 182 dislodges a fully folded and stayed box 2 56, which is gravity-discharged onto the conveyor belt 134. it will be noted that one blank is fed to the machine at station A at the beginning of each cycle and one fully formed stayed box is discharged at station E at the end of each cycle.

To efiect a change over from the fabrication of one pplying members are not device.

size and/or shape of .box to the .fabrication of another .size and/ or shape of box, the mandrel .20 and the work holders .204 must be changed, but no parts of the staying devices need to be changed. In this connection, it will be noted that aholder'fild positions the blank held-therein so thatthelongitudinalaxis of the rodfwii passes through the center of thebottom panel of the blank.

'TReferring to FIGURE 3, and particularly to station D, the staying device '72 is adjusted for operation upon ,a square box 244. To change over for operation upon a rectangular box 262, shown in broken lines, it would merelybe'necessary to shift the effective staying members laterally, the distance designated X, andlongitudinally, the

distance designated Y. The first of these adjustments may be effected by loosening'the studs 94, shifting theplate "9h laterally as required and then retightening the studs 194. The second ofthese adjustments maybe effected by loosening the studs 1%, shifting the frame 93 longitudinally as required andithen retightening the studsitiZ.

It should .be noted that the operation of themachine fisnot slowed up by .tlienecessity forloadingand unload- "ing at'the'same station. "In addition, .the fold, over fold and stayingmechanisms are all incorporated in one machine. Furthermore, jtheheavy;forces exerted bythe stay transmitted to the indexing 'Now referring particularly to the wiring diagram, electric poweriis'supplied through main leads L1 and L2,. The

.- motor M .and a switch S1 are connectedin .series across lead L4. Aswitch S6 and a coiiCS are connected in series across the leads L1 andLZ through the lead L4, the latter being connected between coils C5 and C6. A switch S9, a switch S16 and acoilClti are connected in series across theleads L1 and L2,and a coil C11 is con- .nected inparallel with the coil Cit C1 is the coil of a .solenoidthat controls the clutch CL. Switches S1 and LS2 are manually operated switches while switches 83,85, .87 and 88. are solenoidcontrolled switches. Cd, Clo and C11 arethe coils of solenoids that control respectively valves V1, V2 and V3. S4 and Stigarcswitches operated by the'single'revolution shaft 226. "S9isaswitch which is operated by "arodi9S, and S is, aswitch which is operated by adie mount 112.

When "the machine is tobe operated the switch S3 is closed, whereuponpower is supplied to the motor M, whichruns continuously. The clutchCL isdisengaged, and therefore the motor M does not drive the single revolution shaft 226. Now the switch S2 is closed, where- -upon coilCl is energized through sWitchSZand-switch "S3 and-clutclrCLoperates to clutchthe motor lvi to the shaft 226. iust -before turnin-gaiull 360degrees, the shaft 2%"cl-o-ses and then immediately releases -switch*S4. While switch S4 is closed coil C2 is energized, whereupon switch S5 is' close'd'causingceils C3 and C4 to become energized. Coil C3 holds switchS closed after switch S4- reopens, and coil 04- holds-switch'S3 open to declutch -the motorfrom the shaft 226. SWitch'SS is'reopened by a die-mount llZwhen the latter reaches the end ofits return stroke, i.e., at-the end of the cycle, whereupon COiiS'C3-"El11d04 are deenergized and switch sfireeloses.

Thusthe circuit is restored to initial condition-except that switch S2-remains closed-for'autornatically starting anew cycle.

[-Va-lve V1 is atwo-way valve, normally inaspring biased position in which air is supplied to retract'the ,WOl'l{ hO1d6I'S 204. Switch so is closed by the single revolution shattj226 after'the indexing operation has occurred and then immediately released. When switch so is .closed, coil C5 is energized, whereupon switch S7 is closed. When switch S7 closes, coils C6 and'Cl are energized. Coil C6 holds switch S7 closed after switch S6 reopens. Coil C7 closes switch S8, whereupon coil C9 is energized, and valve V1 is operated againstthein- 'fluence of its springbias. in'the second position thereof, air 'isstlpplied to'thecylinders 194 for extending-the work "holders .204.

Valve V2 is a two-Way valve, normally in a'spring biased position in which air is supplied to-the cylinders 36, 50 and 12am retract the rods 33, 52 and 136 Switch S9is closed by a rod 1% at the endof the latters cut- Ward stroke, whereupon coil Cit is energized and valve V2 is operated against the influence of itsspring bias. In the second position thereohair is supplied to the cyljinders'fifi fihand IZSfor extending the rods 38, 52 and "136), whereupon the over-fold devices operate and the die mounts .1112 descend. The rod 1% holds the switch S9 closed until the die mounts 1 12 reach the end of their downward strokes, whereupon one of the die mounts 112 opens switches S7 and S10. C10 is deenergizedand valve V2 returnsto its initial position under the influence of its spring bias, in which position air is supplied toretract the over-fold devices and the die mounts ill-2. When switch S7 reopens coils Cd and C7 are deenergized, as a conseguence of which switch S8 reopens, whereupon coil C9 is deenergized andvalve V1 returns to its initial position under the influence of its spring bias. The cycle ends when the over-fold devices and the die mounts'are restored to their initial positions. As the die mount approaches the end of its return stroke, the switch S5 is reopened and the switch S19 is reclosed by the die amount $112.

Valve V3 is a one-way valve, normally in a spring biased position in which it isclosed. Coil C11 is energized anddeenergizedin step with coil Ci ll. Therefore air for ejecting a boxat station H is supplied during the working stroke of the die mount 112.

claims.

What is claimed-is:

1. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays 't,o*the cornersof boxes having folded up side panels, the

combination comprising a plurality ofstayer means disposed respectively at aplurality of fixed stations and each adapted for applying a corner stay toone corner of an associated piece of work, means for feeding pieces of Y worlchavingunstayed corners to one of said stations,

means for removing finished pieces of work'from another of saidstat-ions, and means encircled by saidstatio-ns and operable-repeatedly for intermittently advancing the severalpi cos of work simultaneouslyand each progressively'frorn station tostation, the several staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed-relation to said work advancing rneans for operating upon the associated several pieces of .work

during the intervals between work advancing movements. 2. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays *to the corners of boxes having'folded up side panels, the combination comprising aplurality of stayermeans 'disposed respectively at apluralityof fixed stations and-each '-ly advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station including means forinitially feeding pieces of work-having unstayed corners to one of said stations, and means for finally removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, the several staying means being operable: substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said Work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

3. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprisin a plurality of means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations including means at least at one of said stations for over-folding side panels of the associated piece of work, stayer means respectively at a plurality of others of said stations each adapted for applying a corner stay to a corner of the associated piece of work, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station including means for initially feeding pieces of Work having folded up side panels to said over-fold station, and means for finally removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, the several over-folding and staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

4. In a multi-station machine for folding box blanks and applying corner stays to the corners thereof, the com bination comprising a plurality of means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations including means at a first one of said stations adapted for folding up the side panels of the associated piece of work, means respectively at a plurality of others of said stations each adapted for over-folding side panels or" the associated piece of work, means respectively at a plurality of still others of said stations each adapted for applying a corner stay to a corner of the associated piece of work, and means at a last one of said stations for ejecting the associated piece of work from the machine, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from said first mentioned to said last mentioned station, said over-folding, staying and ejecting means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

5. in a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of stayer means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations and each adapted for applying a corner stay to one corner of an associated piece of work, means for feeding pieces of work having unstayed corners to one of said stations, means for removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station in a predetermined manner irrespective of the size and/ or shape of the work, each staying means being selectively shiitable for accommodating work pieces varying in size and/or shape, and the several staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

6. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of stayer means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations and each adapted for applying a corner stay to one corner of an associated piece of work, means for feeding pieces of 3 work having unstayed corners to one of said stations, means for removing finished pieces of wor from another of said stations, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of Work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station, each piece of work being presented successively to each of said staying means with the open top thereof leading and with the center of the work in a predetermined position irrespective of the ize and/ or shape of the Work, each staying means being selectively shiftable for accommodating work pieces varying in size and/ or shape, and the several staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

7. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of stayer means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations and each including a fixed member and a coacting movable mem er adapted for applying a corner stay to one corner of an associated piece of work, means for feeding pieces of work having unstayed corners to one of said stations, means for removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station, each piece of said work being presented successively to each of said staying means with the open top thereof leading, the center of the work in a predetermined position irrespective of the size and/or shape of the work and a corner thereof overlying the fixed one of the staying members, each staying means being selectively shiftable for eifecting stay applying registration with work pieces varying in size and/ or shape, and the several staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between Work advancing movements.

8. In a rnulti-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations including means at least at one of said stations for sequentially over-folding side panels of the associated piece of work, stayer means respectively at a plurality of others of said stations each adapted for applying a corner stay to a corner of the associated piece of work, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station including means for initially feeding pieces of work having folded up side panels to said over-fold station, and means for finally removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, the several over-folding and staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

9. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations including means at a plurality of said stations each adapted for sequentially over-folding a pair of opposite side panels of the associated piece of work, stayer means respectively at a plurality of others of said stations each adapted for applying a corner stay to a corner of the associated piece of work, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station including means for initially feeding tially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

'10. In a multi-station machine for folding box blanks and applying corner stays to the corners thereof, the combination comprising a plurality of means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations including means at a first one of said stations adapted for folding up the side panels of the associated piece of work, said folding means including a fixed mandrel, a coacting movable member, and means interposed between said mandrel and movable member for receiving a fiat, unfolded box blank and positioning the same for being folded over said mandrel upon actuation of said movable member, means respectively at a plurality of others of said stations each adapted for applying a corner stay to a corner of the associated piece of work, means at a last one of said stations for ejecting the associated piece of work from the machine, and means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from said first mentioned to said last mentioned station, said staying and ejecting means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals between work advancing movements.

11. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of stayer 35 2'332644 means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed sta tions and each adapted for applying a corner stay to one corner of an associated piece of work, and means encircled by said stations and the several staying means respectively located thereat, said encircled means being revolvable free of said staying means and being operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from starion to station including means for initially feeding pieces of work having unstayed corners to one of said stations, and means for finally removing finished pieces of Work from another of said stations, the several staying means being operable substantially simultaneously and in predetermined timed relation to said work advancing means for operating upon the associated several pieces of work during the intervals bet-ween work advancing movements.

12. In a multi-station machine for applying corner stays to the corners of boxes having folded up side panels, the combination comprising a plurality of stayer means disposed respectively at a plurality of fixed stations and each adapted for applying a corner stay to one corner of an associated piece of work, means for feeding pieces of work having unstayed corners to one of said stations, means for removing finished pieces of work from another of said stations, means encircled by said stations and operable repeatedly for intermittently advancing the several pieces of work simultaneously and each progressively from station to station, and means for operating said staying means and work advancing means in predetermined time relation automatically in repeated cycles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 877,891 Horton Jan. 28, 1908 Junkin Oct. 26, 1943 2,416,748 Gnoerk Mar. 4, 1947 

1. IN A MULTI-STATION MACHINE FOR APPLYING CORNER STAYS TO THE CORNERS OF BOXES HAVING FOLDED UP SIDE PANELS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF STAYER MEANS DISPOSED RESPECTIVELY AT A PLURALITY OF FIXED STATIONS AND EACH ADAPTED FOR APPLYING A CORNER STAY TO ONE CORNER OF AN ASSOCIATED PIECEOF WORK, MEANS FOR FEEDING PIECES OF WORK HAVING UNSTAYED CORNERS TO ONE OF SAID STATIONS, MEANS FOR REMOVING FINISHED PIECES OF WORK FROM ANOTHER OF SAID STATIONS, AND MEANS ENCIRCLED BY SAID STATIONS AND 